Boston falls in Lackey's debut

FORT MYERS, Fla. — John Lackey gave up three runs over 2 2-3 innings in his first spring training start for the Boston Red Sox, a 5-4 split-squad loss to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.

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By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

southcoasttoday.com

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posted Mar. 12, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted Mar. 12, 2014 at 12:01 AM

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FORT MYERS, Fla. — John Lackey gave up three runs over 2 2-3 innings in his first spring training start for the Boston Red Sox, a 5-4 split-squad loss to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.

Coming off a World Series title, Boston wanted to bring Lackey along slowly along with Jon Lester, who made his first appearance Monday.

Lackey missed the 2012 season while recuperating from elbow ligament-replacement surgery and pitched 215 1-3 innings during the regular season and postseason last year. He allowed four hits against the Marlins, struck out two and walked none.

"It felt all right," he said. "It was a good place to start. I pretty much threw all fastballs the first two innings, tried to work on a few other things that third inning, got a little tired, probably be a little sore tomorrow. It's just a little step up in intensity, but good place to start."

David Ortiz went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts, dropping to .105 (2 for 19) with a home run and eight strikeouts. Dustin Pedroia also is 2 for 19 after an 0-for-3 day.

Left-hander Brian Flynn, a contender for a Marlins' rotation spot, allowed one hit in three scoreless innings and Arquimedes Caminero struck out two in two shutout innings.

Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo acted as manager; John Farrell was in Sarasota with the other split squad that played the Baltimore Orioles. Lovullo was satisfied with Lackey's outing. "He made some pitches in his final inning that ran his pitch count up," Lovullo said. "But overall, for the first time he stepped on the mound, his fastball was downhill. He was locating it. I think the idea for him was to get his legs under him and make those types of pitches." Marlins manager Mike Redmond was happy with Flynn's performance. "Definitely his best outing of the spring," Redmond said. "His tempo was good. He had some nice downward tilt to his fastball and got some relatively easy outs. That's the best I've seen him, probably including last year during the season. He had command of his off-speed pitches and pounded the strike zone, which is nice to see."

Marlins: Infielder Jeff Baker left Monday's game in the second inning with a strained left quadriceps and is day to day. Infielder Rafael Furcal strained his left hamstring in Monday's game and is day to day.

Red Sox: Left-hander Craig Breslow, who is being brought along slowly after an increased workload last season, threw from a mound in a bullpen session Tuesday for the first time this spring training. Right-hander Jake Peavy, who has been sidelined since March1 when he cut his left index finger with a knife, is scheduled to start Thursday against the Minnesota Twins.

The Red Sox had their public address announcer identify each pitch and the pitch count after every pitch in the game. It was an idea the Red Sox had considered implementing last year during spring training, but decided to wait. "It's had some spirited debate," Red Sox executive vice president Charles Steinberg said. "I think we're not shy about being experimental or bold or innovative. This is not quite as dramatic as Charlie Finley's orange baseballs but one thing we all agree on: spring training is the time you would try it if you're going to try it." If the new twist is deemed a success, it would be included in regular season games at Fenway Park. "That's a bad idea," Lackey said. "Whoever did that hasn't been between the lines. ... For me it's not that big a deal because I'm not that worried about throwing strikes," he said.

"But I could foresee that situation for somebody that's struggling throwing strikes. You're just pretty much beating the guy over the head. He realizes it was a ball; he doesn't want to hear it again."

Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi threw in a simulated game Tuesday at the Marlins' complex. He is scheduled to start Saturday against the Yankees in Panama.